Ahead of a U.S. announcement on new sanctions meant to apply further economic pressure on Iran, the country’s currency has hit a record low. The Times of Israel reports that U.S. President Donald Trump has described Iran’s economy as completely collapsing as a result. The Islamic Republic has threatened any country that takes part in imposing these sanctions, warning that it would be considered an enemy alongside the U.S. These sanctions are aimed not only at Iran but also at its trading partners, such as China.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was due to hold a press conference at 2 p.m. on Monday after threatening “the toughest sanctions in history” on Iran.
Bessent has also urged cooperation with Washington by China, which bought more than 80% of Iran’s shipped oil, according to 2025 data from analytics firm Kpler. Beijing has urged diplomacy.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, said on Saturday the imminent US announcement of new economic sanctions was an “assertion of extraterritorial sovereignty over every independent member state of the United Nations.”
An Iranian official also hinted that the regime would rethink its policy of not creating nuclear weapons, saying that the war has only increased the regime’s desire to do so. With U.S. military operations against Iran now limited, Trump has said that the U.S. is waiting to see what will happen. He also continues to assert that the U.S. has total control over the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran is planning to charge vessels for passage.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a warning to Hamas to stop launching drones and balloons from the Gaza Strip. This comes amid reports that Hamas is using World Central Kitchen aid packages to smuggle drugs into Gaza. The IAF also bombed a weapons depot being used by the terror group.
The Fellowship and our supporters pray for the U.S. and Israel as we once again find ourselves at a crossroads between a solution and further conflict. We’re helping Israel prepare for the worst while hoping and praying for the best.